Sony Electronics, Inc. v. Guardian Media Technologies, Ltd.

Good Law

658 F. Supp. 2d 1208·2009 WL 2781803·93 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1372·2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79716

United States District Court, Southern District of CaliforniaAugust 31, 2009Case Nos. 05cv1777-IEG-AJB, 05cv1796-IEG-AJB, 05cv1613-IEG-AJB. Related Case No. 08cv1859-IEG-AJBCalifornia5,916 words

Opinion

Gonzalez, J.

ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF NON-INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 4,930,158

[Doc. No. 182 (Case No. 05cv1777); Doc. No. 44 (Case No. 08cv1859)]

These consolidated actions concern a patent dispute between the “Non-Guardian Parties” — five manufacturers/suppliers of consumer electronic products — and Guardian Media Technologies, Ltd. (“Guardian”). The suit involves two patents, only one of which is relevant to the present motion: U.S. Patent No. 4,930,158 (“the '158 Patent”). Presently, the Non-Guardian Parties (“NG parties”) move for summary judgment of non-infringement of the '158 patent. Guardian filed an opposition and the NG Parties replied. Having considered the parties’ submissions, and for the reasons set forth below, the Court GRANTS summary judgment of non-infringement.

BACKGROUND

A. The '158 Patent

The '158 Patent, entitled “Selective Video Playing System,” teaches an invention for managing objectionable content in video programs. The invention enables parents to prevent their children from viewing violent or sexually explicit programming. Issued in 1988, the '158 Patent describes and claims two “aspects” of the invention: (1) a device that prevents play of an…

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